The purpose of this study is to determine whether the drug everolimus is effective in the treatment of patients with relapsed cancer of the testis. This is a phase II study where all patients will receive the study drug (everolimus 10 mg daily). The primary endpoint of the study is the rate of patients that have no progressive disease after 12 weeks of treatment. Twenty-five evaluable patients will be treated in this study.

Patients with metastatic germ cell cancer and relapse after two or more courses of cisplatin-based chemotherapy or after high-dose chemotherapy have a poor prognosis and few treatment options. Everolimus is a derivative of rapamycin and acts as a signal transduction inhibitor. Its target is mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), a key protein kinase regulating cell growth, proliferation and survival. The mTOR pathway activity is modulated by the PI3K1AKT pathway and is known to be deregulated in numerous human cancers, including germ cell tumors. Everolimus is being investigated as an anticancer agent based on its potential to act:

Indirectly by inhibiting angiogenesis leading to reduced tumor vascularity

Study design

An open-label, single arm, non-randomized, single stage phase II study. Screening phase: Baseline evaluations will be performed within 2 weeks before the first dose of study drug. Treatment phase: All patients will receive everolimus until disease progression (by RECIST or tumor markers) or unacceptable toxicity or study discontinuation for other reasons. A treatment cycle consists of 3 weeks. Dose reductions and dose interruptions (for up to 2 weeks) are allowed for intolerable toxicity. Follow-up phase: All patients will be followed for survival.

Visit schedule

Tumor Response and progression will be assessed using the RECIST criteria and assessments with tumor markers. Tumor measurements by a CT scan or MRI will be performed at screening within 2 weeks prior to the first dose of study drug. During the study period, the CT scan/MRI will be performed every 6 weeks (± one week), and at the time of discontinuation of study drug (within 2 weeks). The same type of scan (CT or MRI) used at screening must be used for all subsequent follow-up assessments. A partial or a complete response warrants a confirmation no sooner than 4 weeks and no later than 6 weeks after its observation.

Tumor markers (AFP, HCG) will be assessed every 3 weeks. A tumor marker reduction > 90% without an increase in tumor size is considered a partial response. A tumor marker increase > 25% without an increase in tumor size is considered progressive disease when confirmed 3 weeks after its observation.

Translational research

The following retrospective pathological examinations of tumor samples will be performed in those patients that gave additional informed consent:

mutation analysis for PTEN, BRAF, p53, and examination of microsatellite instability This information will be correlated with treatment response (CR, PR, SO or PD) at week 12 in an exploratory analysis.

Disease progression or relapse after at least 2 different cisplatin-based regimens and contraindications for high-dose chemotherapy.

Patients must have received prior combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine, oxaliplatin and paclitaxel (GOP). Prior treatment with a combination of two of these drugs is allowed in case of contraindications for GOP.

Patients must be surgically sterile or must agree to use effective contraception during study treatment.

Signed written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

Systemic antitumor treatment within 21 days before study entry.

Simultaneous radiotherapy of the only target lesion(s).

Patients who have undergone major surgery within 4 weeks prior to starting study drug (e.g. intra-thoracic, intra-abdominal, or intra-pelvic) or significant traumatic injury, or who have not recovered from the side effects of any of the above

Patients who have previously received mTOR inhibitors (sirolimus, temsirolimus, everolimus).

Patients with an active or uncontrolled infection, incl. chronic Hepatitis B or C

Patients who have a history of another primary malignancy and are off treatment for <= 3 years, with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer.

Patients who have participated in another clinical trial within 30 days before study entry.

Other serious medical conditions that could impair the ability of the patient to participate in the study.

Patients unwilling or unable to comply with the protocol.

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01242631